Electrical socket connector with supporting clip



Oct. 27, 1953 L. w. BROOKS 7,367

ELECTRICAL SOCKET CONNECTOR WITH SUP PORTING CLIP Original Filed May 4,1948 2 Sheets-Shae l 27 I 26 2425 40 30 x 52 I6 .ZIg. 2.

INVENTOR.

L/A/ZY W BROOKS A TTORNEYS L. W. BROOKS Oct. 27, 1953 ELECTRICAL SOCKETCONNECTOR WITH SUPPORTING CLIP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 4,1948 Patented Oct. 27, 1953 ELECTRICAL SOCKET CONNECTOR WITH SUPPORTINGCLIP Linzy W. Brooks, Portland, reg., assignor to On-A-Lite Corporation,Portland, 011681, a cor poration of Oregon Original application May 4,1948, Serial No. 24,941.. Divided and this application Novemb 2 9, Srial N 128,588;

5 Claims.v

This invention relates to an electrical fixture for making connectionwith a dual conductor electric cord to energize either an individuallamp socket in the fixture or a branch conductor cord for a string orlamp sockets or thelike, the present application being a division of mypending application, Serial No. 24,941, filed May 4, 1948 for ElectricalConnector Fixture, which has matured into Patent No. 2,491,463, issuedDecember 13, 1949.

The invention relates to improvements in the type of connector fixturedisclosed and claimed in my copending application serial No. 761,061,filed July 15, 1947, for Decorative Lighting Fixture, now Patent No.2,559,706, issued July 10, 1951, wherein electrical connection is madewith a dual conductor cord byforcing a pair of metal prongs or pinsthrough the insulation of the cord and into contact with the electricalconductors therewithin. The advantages of this type of connector fixtureare that it enables light sockets to be mounted at any point along aconventional dual conductor electrical cord without scraping theinsulation from the wires and making a permanent type of connectionrequiring the use of tools or solder. Such a fixture is of particularadvantage in mounting decorative lights on a conductor cord for lightinga Christmas tree or the like where the lights may have to be placed atirregular intervals on the cord to obtain the desired lighting efiect,and wherein it may be desirable to shift the lights to. differentpositions. on the cord from time to time, as where the same string oflights is used year after year on difierent Christmas trees. This. typeof fixture permits the: lights to be moved from one position to, anotheralong the cord without leaving parts of the bare conductor wires exposedwhich would have to be taped, making the cord unsightly. and

a possible fire and shock hazard if the tape should.

come off, and of course involving the work of applying the tape.

In a similar manner, this type of fixture may also be used to energizebranch, conductor cords, from a, main cord to add additional strings ofl h s wh e they ma be n ded The ampso ke s o e branc o d m y al o, ra lybe o e n nn or yp so. t t he ma b spa ed a ran m to g the esired gh ineiIect. In addition to, the mentioned uses, for

decorative lighting purposes, this type of fixture may further be usedfor making temporary or permanent connection with a twin conductor cordfor any other purpose. whatsoever.

The general object of the present invention is to provide improved formsof construction for an electrical connector fixture of the typedescribed to make the fixture more durable and of greater utility and toreduce the cost of manufacture. Particular objects are to provide a typeof construction having parts which. may be easily molded of readilyavailable plastic materials, to provide a design for the individualplastic parts which requires less complicated dies for the moldingthereof, and to provide an. improved. form of construction and design,of parts to reduce the cost of assembly. Another object is to provide aform of construction for the principal molded parts which will permitthe use of the same molding dies to makeparts for both a lamp sockettype of fixture and extension cord connector type of fixture. Additionaland more specific objects of the, invention are to provide improvedforms of ram or piston element for forcing thev wires onto. the prongsor pins of the fixture, to provide an improved form of cap memberincluding such piston element, and to provide improved means forsecuring a spring mounting clip to the fixture.

In the present forms of construction, the. principal part of body membermay be provided with a screw threaded metallic shell to form a lampsocket or it may constitute a connector fixture for a dual conductorbranch or extension cord. Th body member has a, segmental end portiondefining a recess having a trans-verse channel for the conductor cordwith which thefixture is to be connected, and in the bottom. of the:conductor cord channel are mounted a pair of metallic pinsv having alength justv sufficient to pierce through the insulation and into thestranded electrical conductors of a conventional rubber or plasticcovered twin conductor cord: without piercing through the insulation on:the; opposite side of the cord. The conductor cord. is forced,

onto the metallic pins by a. ram. or piston: element which is projectedinto the said recess. The

piston element is carried by a cap member which fits over the segmentalend portionof the body member; to force the piston toward the pins inthe bottom of the channel so that electrical connection will be madewith the two conductors of the cord in the channel when the cap issecured to the body member. When the body member constitutes a lightsocket, the cap is provided with a spring clip for mounting the light ona Christmas tree branch or support. The cap may be secured to the bodymember by a screw thread ed connection, or by the use of cooperatingprojections and recesses adapted resilient snap engagement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent topersons skilled in the art as the description proceeds in connectionwith the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of theinvention. It is to be understood, however, that the purpose of thedrawing is to illustrate the principles of the invention and not tolimit the invention, as various other changes in the form ofconstruction and arrangement of parts will occur to persons skilled inthe art, and all such modifications within the scope of the appendedclaims are included in the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view showing one form of theinvention embodied in an extension cord connector type of fixture;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a similar form of theinvention embodied in a lamp socket type of fixture;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 2, with thecap removed;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the piston ele- F ment for the cap;

Figure 5 is a sectional view illustrating the manner of inserting thepiston element in the p;

Figure 6 is a general view illustrating the use of both types offixtures shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure '7 is a sectional view of another modification;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure '7 with thecap removed from the body; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view showing a different manner of securing themounting clip to the cap of the device.

Figure 1 illustrates the construction of the branch or extension cordconnector fixture shown in Figure 6, the purpose of this fixture beingto connect the twin conductor branch cord H to the main twin conductorcord l2. The assembled parts of the fixture l0 comprise a body portion:5, a cap 16, a washer H and ram or piston 26.

The body l has a segmental externally threaded end portion 2| withthreads 22 for securing the cap 96. The two segments of the end portion2| define a recess comprising a transverse conductor channel 23 having abottom wall 24. At spaced points on the wall 24, as shown in Figure 3,are mounted sharp metallic pins 25 and 25 spaced to pierce through theinsulation and into the stranded conductors of a conventional sizerubber or plastic covered twin conductor cord. Each pin has a flange 2'!partially sunk in a shallow recess in the wall 24, which flange servesto position the pin so that the pin will extend a definite distance outfrom the wall 24. Preferably, the flange 21 is not entirely embedded inthe wall 24, so that the outer face of the flange may be engaged by atool in order to rivet the inner end of the pin on the opposite side ofwall 24. It is important. tha the pin not be long enough to pierceentirely through the insulation on both sides of the cord so that itmight possibly push a conductor strand out through the insulation whereit would be in an exposed position after the fixture is removed. It isfound that the pins may easily be made to the proper length for thepurpose, since most common conductor cords are of fairly uniform sizeand cannot be appreciably flattened in the bottom of the channel by thepiston 2G. The inner or riveted end of each pin is mechanically andelectrically connected with a small plate or tab 28 which is soldered toone of the conductors of the cord I I. An upstanding partition 2% isformed integral with the wall 2 to separate the soldered connections anduninsulated conductor ends to prevent short circuit, it being understoodthat the whole body I5 is molded or a suitable electrically insulatingmaterial.

The conductor cords l l and 12 may each ccmprise separate insulatedstranded conductors adapted to be laid side b side in the bottom of thechannel 23, or they may comprise the more recent type of rubber orplastic covered twin conductor cords where the insulation on the twoconductors is united on adjacent sides to make a single fiat conductorcord. In either event, if the individual stranded conductors are laidflat and side by side in the bottom of the channel 23, they willthereafter be held firmly in that position by the piston 28. The end ofthe plug 29 is preferably provided with parallel grooves 30 to fit theconductor cord. The parts are proportioned so that when the cap it isscrewed down against the shoulder Bl on the body, the grooved surfacesin the end of the piston 20 are brought close to the ends of the prongsbut without touching the prongs so that the insulation on the pistonside will not be pierced.

The soldered connections on the end of the cord l l are enclosed by acover member 32 which is mounted on the body member by means of aflanged friction joint 36. In assembly, this joint is preferablypermanently bonded by applying a plastic solvent such as acetone, or byusing any convenient adhesive material.

The washer I: forms a bearing for the nonrotating piston as as the capit is screwed on the body l5. In mounting the fixture on a conductorcord, the cord is laid in the channel 23 across the points of the pins25 and 26 and the cap is engaged with the starting threads on thesegmental end portion of the body member. Then, as the cap is turneddown, the piston forces the conductor cord toward the bottom of thechannel, causing the pins to pierce the stranded conductors and makeelectrical connection therewith.

In the socket fixture shown in Figure 2, similar parts are identified bythe same reference numerals. The body 35, cap 36 and washer 3? aredifferent in some respects from the corresponding elements of Figure 1,in order to adapt them to the light socket, but each of these partspossesses the same cooperating elements to cause a conductor cord in thechannel 23 to be pierced by the metallic pins 25'and 25 when the piston20 is forced into the recessed channel by screwing the cap on the bodymember. The body 35 is made in one piece and is provided with a screwthreaded metallic shell 39 forming a socket for the lamp 40. The shell39 has a shoulder 4| mechanically and electrically connected with theriveted end of pin 25. A resilient center contact 52 for the to bond thewasher to the cap member. Still other means may be devised by personsskilled in the art for securing a spring clip in a slot or recess in thecap member extending toward or into the central piston element.

By mounting the spring clip well Within the piston element of the capmember, particularly as shown in Figure '7, the clip members may havesuificient length to provide the desired spring action without causingthe fixture to stand high above the branch or other support on which itis mounted. It is desirable to have the fixture mounted as close to itssupport as possible.

It is to be understood, of course, in Figure 7 that the spring clip maybe omitted and an extension cord connected directly with the pins 25 and26 in lieu oi the lamp socket 39 to provide an extension cord connectorfitting to serve the purpose of the fixture l shown in Figures 1 and 6.The various features of novelty in the body and cap members have thesame advantage and utility with an extension cord connector fitting I0as with a lamp socket type of fitting 34.

In the various embodiments shown, the invention provides a two piecefixture by which additional lamps or extension cords may be connectedwith a main cord without requiring any tools or the usual skillnecessary to make electrical connections. All the elements necessary formaking the connection are self-contained in the body member and capwithout the use of any screws or nuts which are easily lost and mayresult in a faulty connection if improperly applied. The threads on thethreaded parts are relatively large and easy to engage, and in allembodiments the parts fit in such a manner as to make it self-evident toan unskilled person when they are put together in the proper manner. Thepointed pins and electrical'oonnections associated therewith arepermanently mounted in an inaccessible position so that a personconnecting or disconnecting wires from the fixture cannot possibly comein contact with any energized metallic parts, or with the sharp points.The energized parts are also inaccessible to tin foil and other metallicornaments used on Christmas trees and the like.

The fixtures may be moved about on the cord as desired from time to timewithout materially shortening the life of the conductor cord, or

all the fixtures may be removed from the cord to make it available forsome other use. The single undivided cord channel in each embodimentallows the use of twin conductor cords without splitting the cord arounda central bolt as has heretofore generally been necessary in suchfixtures.

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may beused, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent 1. Inan electric light socket fixture having a body member with a light bulbsocket in one end of the body and a conductor cord channel in the otherend of the body equipped with piercing contact pins to energize saidsocket, a cap for said channelled end of the body member, a rotatablepiston element in said cap to enter said channel and press a conductorcord in the channel against said contact pins, a contractible flangedbase on said piston element seated in said cap, an annular abutment inthe cap overhanging said flanged base to retain the piston element inthe cap when the cap is removed from the body member, a central openingin the end of the cap, and a pair of opposed spring clip members havinginner end portions insertable into said opening from the outside of thecap and clamped in the cap by said piston element to impart springaction to the outer ends of the clip members to grip a support.

2. In an electric light socket fixture having a body member'with a lightbulb socket in one end of the body and a conductor cord channel in theother end of the body equipped with piercing contact pins to energizesaid socket, a cap for said channelled end of the body member, alongitudinally slotted piston element in said cap projecting into saidchannel to press a conductor cord in the channel against said contactpins, a flanged base on said piston element rotatably seated in saidcap, and an annular abutment in said cap over-hanging said flanged baseto retain the piston element in the cap when the cap is removed from thebody member, said fianged base being contractible for assembly of thepiston element in the cap by pinching together the slotted portion ofthe piston element.

3. In a miniature light socket fixture having body member with a lightbulb socket in one end of the body and a conductor cord channel in theother end of the body equipped with piercing contact pins to energizesaid socket, a cap for said channelled end of the body member to press aconductor cord in said channel against said contact pins, a centralopening in the end of said cap, and a pair of separate, opposed springclip members having inner end portions clamped to: gether in said capopening to impart spring gripping action to the outer ends of said clipmembers for holding the fixture in upstanding position on a support, theclamping action thus exerted on said inner end portions of said clipmembers constituting the sole retention for said clip members in thecap.

4. In an electric light socket fixture having a body member with a lightbulb socket in one end of the body and a conductor cord channel in theother end of the body equipped with piercing contact pins to energizesaid socket, a cap for said channelled end of the body to press aconductor cord in said channel against said contact pins, a centralopening in the end of said cap, a pair of separate, opposed spring clipmembers having inner ends insertable into said opening from the exteriorside of the cap, and opposed wall surfaces in the cap rigidly clampingportions of said inner ends together in the cap to impart springgripping action to the outer ends of said members for holding thefixture in upstanding position on a support, said wall surfacesconstituting the sole retention means engaging said clip members to holdthe clip members in the cap.

5. In an electric light socket fixture having a body member with a lightbulb socket in one end of the body and a conductor cord channel in theother end of the body equipped with piercing contact pins to energizesaid socket, a cap for said channelled end of the body to press aconductor cord in said channel against said contact pins, a centralopening in the end of said cap having two confronting spaced walls,opposed indentations in said walls, a pair of separate spring clipmembers having inner end portions clamped together between said walls toimpart spring gripping action to the outer ends of the clip members, andprojections on said inner end portions engaging said indentations with asnap fit, said confronting spaced walls constituting the sole retentionfor said clip members in said cap.

LINZY W. BROOKS.

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTSNumber Name Date 318,929 Smith May 26, 1885 1,315,317 Letiecq Sept. 9,1919 10 1,515,860 Howard Nov. 18, 1924 1,542,706 Lang June 16, 1925Number Number Name Date Kidston Apr. 10, 1934 Moulthrop Dec. 24, 1935Smith Mar. 24, 1942 Wolf June 2, 1942 Belling Nov. 16, 1948 FOREIGNPATENTS Country Date England June 16, 1883 England July 3, 1934

